Condenser Shell and Tube Bundle Support Plate Construction

ABSTRACT

A condenser shell internal support structure includes horizontal rails and vertical beams which can individually support a variety of shapes and configurations of tube bundle modules. Each module includes an end frame and longitudinal framework members that hold each of the parallel tube bundle support plates. The reinforcement framework supports at least one tube bundle and also opposing sidewalls of the shell. The framework further comprises laterally disposed crossbeams extending between and affixed to the opposing shell sidewalls.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/186,646 entitled “Condenser Shell and Tube Bundle Support Plate Construction” filed on Jun. 12, 2009, priority from which is hereby claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the construction of a heat exchanger condenser shell which houses a plurality of tube bundles held in position by support plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The heat exchange condenser transfers heat from one fluid to another by passing one fluid through tubes housed within an outer shell through which a second fluid such as steam passes that contacts the surface of the individual tubes. The second fluid passes through the interior of the shell so as to heat or cool fluid within the tubes. Examples of this technology is shown in several of my previous patents for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,304 entitled “Tube Bundle Support” and my pending patent application published as US2009/0032230 entitled “Support Plate for Separate and Independent Tube Bundles.” A particular application of this technology is used in steam surface condensers.

In a typical steam surface condenser, cooling tubes are supported in holes drilled into flat support plates or may use the support plate technology disclosed in my previous patent, U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,765 entitled “Heat Exchanger Tube Support.” This patent describes a condenser tube support system which promotes longitudinal flow of the steam introduced into the shell that circulates around the individual cooling tubes in the support bundle. The tube bundles are crosswise disposed within the shell in the direction of the flow around them provide a latticework with rectangular openings through which each of the circular tubes pass. The support plates are separately disposed in parallel planes and hold the tube bundles by a surrounding flange on the periphery of the support plates. Each of the support plates is held by framework which allows modular sections of individual support tube bundle modules to be inserted into and removed from the shell.

It has been found that the greater the longitudinal flow, the higher the efficiency and condensate rate. The type of support plates which promote longitudinal flow, however, do not possess adequate strength to withstand the stresses that follow from greater flow and require alternate ways of strengthening the structure around them. Problems with insufficient reinforcement include flow-induced vibration which can cause tube damage. With greater flow also comes attendant shell vacuum loading which can collapse the sidewalls of the shell.

To meet the needs in the art, it is therefore the objective of the present invention to provide longitudinal flow of the shell fluid while protecting the tubes from flow-induced vibration. It is a further objective to reinforce the tube support system to enable it to be used with large tube bundles. It is yet a further objective to reinforce the shell as necessary to resist the force of vacuum loading to maintain the integrity of the shell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above-stated objectives, the present internal shell support structure has been devised. The structure includes horizontal rails and vertical beams which can individually support a variety of shapes and configurations of tube bundle modules. Each module includes an end frame and longitudinal framework members that hold each of the parallel tube bundle support plates. This construction comprises an exoskeleton of framework members which reinforce the shell side walls to permit each of the tube bundle modules to be individually slid into and out of a service opening in the end wall of the shell.

Among the benefits of this system are a smaller total condenser package, more efficient steam distribution and the potential for using “hyper thin” wall tubing. This system for supporting tubes changes the flow characteristics of the shell side fluid resulting in an enhanced condensate rate. This technology is particularly suited to utility-sized applications which require the suspension of thousands of individual tubes. Finally, maintenance costs are greatly reduced because the tubes are better protected from both mechanical and chemical damage, while heat transfer is more uniformly maintained throughout the bundle.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top left front isometric view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top front right isometric view of a tube bundle module.

FIG. 3 is a top left front isometric view showing the condenser shell reinforcement framework.

FIG. 4 is a top right isometric view showing the support plate locating fixture with the tube bundle shown in phantom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exterior view of the installation 10 which includes two steam surface condenser shells 11 and 13 utilizing the support system of the present invention is shown. This Figure depicts the tube bundle 15 being slidably removed from one of the condenser shells 11 with the tube bundle 15 riding on rails 17 which carry the tube bundles by their support plates 19.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a typical tube bundle module is shown with the individual tube support plates 19 being supported by a pair of longitudinal framework members 21 along each side. The framework members extend between end plates 23 so that the individual tubes are supported along their entire length.

Regarding FIG. 3, the need in the art for high performance steam condensers with proper internal support of the shell sidewalls 31 (shown in phantom), is provided by the framework shown. The shell reinforcement of the invention keeps the shell sidewalls from collapsing inwardly due to the vacuum loading caused by the temperate drop of the incoming steam. The framework includes lateral crossbeams 32 which extend between the condenser sidewalls 31. The beams are supported by posts 34 which stand on footing 35. The footing posts 34 are central to the condenser shell shown and are located between the tube bundle modules which are supported by separate framework shown in FIG. 4. For single bundles, the shell may be reinforced by adding structural members laterally in the openings between the tubes.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the framework for slidably supporting a tube bundle within the shell reinforcement framework of FIG. 3 is shown. The tube bundle 40 as depicted in this Figure is shown in phantom guided laterally on four sliders 41 which ride on longitudinal rails 43. The rails 43 are in turn supported by vertical posts 44. Similar sliders (not shown) are used on the bottom centrally located single support rail 45. The sliders and rails both support and direct the movement of the tube bundle module 40 to allow it to be easily moved into and out of the condenser shell for maintenance and servicing.

In accordance with the foregoing, the disclosed shell framework provides the advantage of convenient bundle module introduction and removal as well as providing internal support to the sidewalls of the condenser shell. As a consequence, the present invention accommodates the longitudinal flow of the shell fluid while protecting the tubes from flow-induced vibration by adequately supporting a plurality of high performance support plates. This structure provides a reinforced tube support system necessary to accommodate very large tube bundles. Most importantly, it serves as an internal structural reinforcement system to the condenser shell to resist the forces of vacuum loading and thus it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the objectives of the invention have been achieved.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A steam condenser shell, comprising: a housing shell for entraining a flow of steam around at least one condenser tube bundle within said shell; said condenser tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes, said tubes carrying a flow of cold liquid relative to said steam; a reinforcement framework within said shell supporting said at least one tube bundle and also opposing sidewalls of said shell; and said framework comprising laterally disposed crossbeams extending between and affixed to said opposing shell sidewalls.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said crossbeams are supported by vertical posts which stand on a footing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said posts are centrally positioned between tube bundle modules supported by said posts, said modules comprising a plurality of laterally extending plates supporting said tubes and fixed in parallel series of plates by longitudinal framework members.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each tube bundle module is supported on sliders which ride on longitudinal rails that are supported by said posts.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said sliders support said bundles by the tube bundle support plates which are interconnected by the longitudinal framework members of said tube bundles.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said housing shell includes an end wall with service openings adjacent the ends of said tube bundles whereby each tube bundle module is slidably removable from said housing shell on said sliders and said rails. 